Iranian advisers helped Houthi rebels seize Red Sea coast in Yemen

Iranian Revolutionary Guard advisers helped direct Yemen's Houthi rebels' lightning seizure of the Red Sea coast, marking Tehran's most direct intervention in the conflict, according to sources cited by the Associated Press. The advance dealt a major blow to U.S. interests and regional allies. The Houthis captured 115 kilometers of coastline in under 48 hours, exploiting divisions among Saudi-backed government forces and breaching their communications. The offensive included 130 ballistic missiles and 145 suicide drones, with Iranian advisers present at all levels, providing tactical planning and intelligence analysis. The rebels' land grab, including strategic islands, threatens Saudi oil shipments and has pushed up global fuel prices. Government forces lost 500 fighters, while the Houthis seized weapons and equipment from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.